Local Businessman Recognized for Incredible Lifestyle Change

Mike Ramshaw struggled with weight loss through his entire adult life. He would gain weight, lose weight, then put even more back on. It wasn’t until he overheard a conversation his wife was having with a friend about her fear of losing him that he found his why – why he needed to make a lifestyle change.

A healthy lifestyle is our best weapon against heart disease and stroke – the nation’s No.1 and No.5 killers. Mike lead an active lifestyle for most of his life, but once he began to meet his professional goals, work came before health. Mike’s health was getting in the way of enjoying time with his wife and four children. They once went on a small vacation to New York City and Mike had to take a cab places that his family was able to walk to. He wasn’t able to walk more than a city block without having to sit and rest or stop muscle spasms.

After having surgery on his left triceps, Mike reached an all-time high of 457lbs. Even though Mike tried many times to improve his health, he was pushed to make a change when he overheard his wife having a conversation with a friend where she said she would rather hate him and have him out of her life than to love him and bury him. Hearing her concern in that context pushed Mike to seek help.

Mike immediately called his doctor and started a wellness program where he learned he was at risk for early heart disease, diabetes, high blood Pressure, high cholesterol and cancer before the age of 55. In the 90-day program, Mike lost 62.2lbs. This was only the beginning, he continued to work hard and ran his first 4K on Thanksgiving day, just a few months after his weight loss journey began. By February of that year, Mike was down 104lbs and was in much better condition to have Gastric Bypass surgery as a tool to help him continue his lifestyle change. Since overhearing his wife’s conversation, Mike has lost 149lbs and has run multiple races.

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish once you find your “why” and I couldn’t believe it took me over twenty years to find it when it has always been there right by my side.” Said Mike.

The American Heart Association will be awarding Mike the Lifestyle Change Award at the New Hampshire Heart Walk on June 1st at Derryfield Park in Manchester, New Hampshire. Walking is just one great way to start your health and fitness journey. Join us and be a Heart Walk hero! Visit NHHeartWalk.org for more information.